Surgical volume is stable or increasing in nearly two-thirds of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), according to the 23rd annual OR Manager Salary/Career Survey. More than two-thirds (68%) of survey respondents also report that their ASCs have not experienced financial difficulties as a result of current economic conditions. These results may…

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Letters nominating Pamela Smith, BSN, RN, CNOR, as the 2013 OR Manager of the Year described her as a leader who has supported her staff and their decisions, an advocate for education, and a clinical manager who “drives quality and efficiency while balancing high patient and staff satisfaction scores.” Smith,…

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Among the tools and procedures intended to increase efficiencies and reduce errors in the OR are time-outs and checklists, which have become a standard practice during many surgical procedures. Vicki Hess, MS, RN, CSP, believes these same tools can be used to promote engagement and decrease stress among those working…

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Surgical services is endowed with a large number of senior nurse leaders. The average age of perioperative nursing managers and directors is 55, and on average, they have been in nursing 30.5 years, according to the 2012 OR Manager Salary/Career Survey. Nearly half plan to retire by 2020. As ORs…

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Not all staff nurses can or want to be managers,” says Judith Mercado, RN, CNOR, nursing service director for perioperative and maternal child health services for Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center. “Informal leaders stand out; they are the superstars of the group.” Identifying those leaders and mentoring them into…

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How did OR Manager get started? We had an idea and worked to make it happen. This is the story of a small group of 5 women who have built OR Manager over the past 28 years. They include, besides myself (Ellie Schrader), Pat Patterson, Judy Dahle, MS, MSG, RN;…

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Attendance set a new record high, and excitement filled Caesars Palace in Las Vegas as perioperative nurse leaders gathered to celebrate 25 years of the OR Manager Conference held October 24 to 26, 2012. At the silver anniversary event, 1242 attendees discussed posters with their presenters, networked with colleagues and…

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A mentor and an advocate for patients and families are qualities that stand out in letters nominating Karen Martin, MS, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC, as OR Manager of the Year. Martin, who is director of perioperative services at the Medical Center of the Rockies (MCR), Loveland, Colorado, will be honored at…

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Financial challenges may have eased slightly for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), according to the 22nd annual OR Manager Salary/Career Survey. Only 29% of ASC managers report financial difficulties because of current economic conditions, much lower than the 43% in 2010. Reasons cited for those financial difficulties have changed in the…

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With all that managers have to balance—schedules, meetings, staff, reports, and shrinking resources, not to mention home, family, and school—who has time to think about being funny? Humor may be more valuable than you imagine, not only in dealing with stress but also in being a better manager. Humor is…

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